Senator Robinson E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments to Improve Emergency Response
  • Office Grand Openings Introduce Constituents to Offices, Services Available
  • Citizens can Comment on PennDOT Plan to Toll Highway Bridges
  • Senate Holds Two Public Hearings on 5G Deployment in Pennsylvania
  • Capitol Hunger Garden Breaks Ground on 11th Season
  • Observing National EMS Week

Voters Approve Constitutional Amendments to Improve Emergency Response

In Tuesday’s primary election, Pennsylvania voters approved four ballot questions, including two constitutional amendments that will improve the way the state responds to emergencies.

The primary election results demonstrate our system of government works better when we work together. Pennsylvanians want to see more collaboration and better results from state government when responding to emergencies.

Also on Tuesday, voters elected small business owner Chris Gebhard to represent the 48th Senatorial District, which includes all of Lebanon County and parts of Dauphin and York counties.

With the addition of Senator-elect Gebhard, voters have given Senate Republicans a 28-21 majority in the State Senate, with one independent member who caucuses with Senate Republicans.

Office Grand Openings Introduce Constituents to Offices, Services Available

One down and one to go. Thursday I hosted a grand opening at the Bethel Park office, 1700 N Highland Road, Suite 307. Visitors will be welcomed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, May 21, at the Robinson office, 200 Cedar Ridge Drive, Suite 206.

I hosted these events to provide people in the community the chance to talk to me and my district office staff, learn about the variety services that we can provide, and share any legislative concerns or suggestions.

We were excited to meet the people we represent so that we can all work together. I encourage residents to stop by, say hello and learn what services we offer.

State-related services offered by my district offices includes:

  • Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.
  • Assistance with PennDOT paperwork, such as lost cards, changes, corrections, special plates and handicapped placards.
  • PACE and PACENET applications.
  • Help with public assistance, such as Medicaid and food stamp applications. Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications.
  • Birth and death certificate applications.
  • Access to state tax forms.
  • Voter registration forms.
  • Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters.

I want my constituents to know that my staff and I are here to do everything possible to meet and exceed their expectations both at home and in Harrisburg.

Citizens can Comment on PennDOT Plan to Toll Highway Bridges

Residents can use an upcoming telephone town hall to voice their opinion on PennDOT plans to toll bridges on Pennsylvania interstate highways, including the I-79 bridge near Bridgeville, Allegheny County.

I continue to be strongly opposed the tolling plan. I have heard from countless residents and employers who also believe PENNDOT should reevaluate the use of its current resources instead of imposing what in essence is just another tax on motorists. This town hall is focused on PENNDOT’s funding options, making it an excellent venue for citizens to make sure their views on the tolling plan are heard.

PennDOT will hold a telephone town hall on the plan Tuesday, May 25, beginning at 6 p.m. To join the town hall, register here to receive a phone call to join at the start of the meeting or call (855) 756-7520, Entry Code Extension 73539#.

In addition to the telephone town hall, citizens can comment:

If you have a comment or question about a specific bridge tolling project, you can access each project’s comment form by visiting the project websites here.

On February 18, PennDOT unveiled a plan to toll nine bridges:

  • Interstate 78 – Berks County
  • Interstate 79 – Allegheny County
  • Interstate 80 – Clarion, Carbon, Jefferson, and Luzerne counties
  • Interstate 81 – Susquehanna County
  • Interstate 83 – Dauphin County
  • Interstate 95 – Philadelphia

Last month, the Senate approved Senate Bill 382, which would reform the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute and to void the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative. It is now before the House Transportation Committee. ICYMI – Below are my remarks on the Senate floor from passage. 

4/27/21 – Reforming PA’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership Statute 

Senate Holds Two Public Hearings on 5G Deployment in Pennsylvania

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee recently held two public hearings to review the deployment of 5G wireless technology in Pennsylvania.

5G is the fifth-generation technology successor to 4G broadband cellular networks, which provide connectivity to most current cellphones. Cellular phone companies began deploying 5G worldwide in 2019.

The first hearing featured wireless providers and local government representatives. The second hearing heard from state agencies and labor unions involved in wireless infrastructure. You can view hearing video, agendas and testimony at the links.

Capitol Hunger Garden Breaks Ground on 11th Season

The Capitol Hunger Garden, which grows produce for food banks and draws attention to the need for food donations statewide, recently broke ground for its 11th season. 

The garden, which is overseen by the bipartisan legislative Hunger Caucus and tended to by the Penn State Master Gardeners, is located on a 1,000 square-foot plot adjacent to the State Capitol Building.

Since its inception, the garden has annually produced between 700 and 800 pounds of vegetables that are donated to food banks, pantries and local soup kitchens.

Observing National EMS Week

Over the past year, we witnessed how Emergency Medical Services personnel are ready to serve their communities and patients, even when facing an unprecedented global pandemic, and despite the risks to their personal health and safety.

EMTs, paramedics and other EMS practitioners serve as healthcare professionals, social workers, crisis counselors, consolers and caregivers. For this national EMS Week, we honor the many roles of EMS professionals and the people behind the scenes who support them.

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